Qianlong Powder Blue Covered Box with Sealmark

• Powder-Blue - Powder-blue, also known as "Jingdezhen blue" or "suffuse blue," is a captivating decorative technique used in Chinese ceramics from the 15th to the 19th centuries. Its name aptly reflects the application method, where finely ground cobalt oxide is dusted onto the ceramic surface, creating a soft, ethereal blue hue. The uneven dusting results in soft gradations of blue, with darker spots around contours and lighter areas on flat surfaces. The blue often appears translucent, allowing the underlying clay colour to subtly influence the final shade.
  
  Powder-blue was primarily used on porcelain, particularly in high-end pieces produced in Jingdezhen, the famed porcelain capital of China, but its popularity declined in the latter part of the 19th century.

This item has been included into following indexes:

• Chinese ceramics, decoration - powder-blue 40
• Chinese ceramics, dynasty mark or period - various items, Qianlong mark (1736-1795) 481
• Chinese ceramics, item type - boxes 231